6 days ago
Prior to past year’s Donkey Kong Bananza, Rare’s 1999 platformer was nan sole 3D Donkey Kong game.
Nintendo
Nintendo has announced that cult favourite N64 platformer Donkey Kong 64 is yet joining its Nintendo Classics room connected June 4. The N64 emulator was first introduced to nan Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack rank tier astir 5 years ago, and Nintendo fans person been asking for Rare's 1999 collectathon platformer ever since.
Prior to past year's superb Donkey Kong Bananza, Donkey Kong 64 was nan tie-wearing gorilla's 1 and only 3D outing, and remains an important portion of Nintendo's history, moreover if nan crippled itself has ever been beautiful divisive. Unlike nan British developer's acold much universally beloved side-scrolling Donkey Kong Country games, Rare's Donkey Kong 64 sees DK exploring ample 3D levels that are perfectly stuffed to nan brim pinch collectible items.
DK 🎵
DONKEY KONG! 🎵
Help Donkey Kong rescue his friends, reclaim nan Golden Banana, and prevention his homeland successful Donkey Kong 64, coming to nan Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics app connected Jun 4 for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members! pic.twitter.com/WfAZ73Cwvo
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 28, 2026
Some group loved nan much open-ended attack and aggregate playable characters, but those hoping for a Donkey Kong-flavored Super Mario 64 bemoaned nan back-tracking and confusing building of nan game. Rare's erstwhile platformer, Banjo Kazooie, which came retired a twelvemonth earlier successful 1998, is besides successful nan Nintendo Classics library, and nan 2 are very overmuch successful nan aforesaid mold.
Like galore games of nan early 3D era, a wonky camera and awkward controls tin besides make Donkey Kong 64 a spot of a reliable bent successful 2026, but if you emotion Donkey Kong (and who doesn't?) and person ever wondered wherever Grant Kirkhope's infamous 'DK Rap' came from, you beryllium it to yourself to astatine slightest springiness it a effort adjacent week.
Donkey Kong 64 is nan first N64 crippled to beryllium added to Nintendo Switch Online successful 2026, pursuing Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble arriving successful December. Its summation intends that a batch of nan N64's biggest games are now playable connected NSO via nan Expansion Pack add-on, which costs $50 per twelvemonth for an individual membership. The likes of Diddy Kong Racing and Super Smash Bros. are still absent from nan library.
